Inspiring Performances
Performance is at the heart of the MBT experience. Our productions provide dancers with the opportunity to apply their training, explore their creativity, and develop the confidence, discipline, and artistry that come from performing on stage.
Through full-length ballets, studio showcases, and community performances, MBT shares the joy of dance with audiences throughout the region. Every performance reflects the dedication of our dancers, faculty, and families while bringing people together through the power of the arts.
The Nutcracker
December 5th-6th & 12th-13th, 2026
Metropolitan Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker is a fun family tradition that will lift your spirits this holiday season!
Rated a “Best Bet for Holiday Entertainment in and around DC” by DC Metro Theater Arts!
Metropolitan Ballet Theatre has been presenting the full-length traditional staging of The Nutcracker at the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center in Rockville at Montgomery College since 1989. Year after year audiences are enchanted by MBT’s performances which feature student and professional dancers, fabulous costumes, and beautiful scenery – including a Christmas tree that seemingly grows forever, magical dancing dolls, marching toy soldiers, giant mice, a dazzling blizzard with dancing snowflakes and a land of luscious sweets. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating the season!
The Nutcracker Suite
December 5th-6th & 12th-13th, 2026
MBT added our popular short-length version of this classic holiday tale to our season. Metropolitan Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker Suite is a perfect, shorter-length introduction to the theater and ballet, geared to young audiences!
Metropolitan Ballet Theatre has been presenting the full-length traditional staging of The Nutcracker since 1989. We introduced The Nutcracker Suite in 2017 to sold-out audiences at MBT’s Black Box Theater, and took it to the larger stage with our 30th annual season at the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center in 2018!
There are four performance times available for The Nutcracker Suite. These will sell out quickly!
Each performance of The Nutcracker Suite will last approximately 1 hour with a short intermission.
Stay tuned for 2026 performance dates of the Nutcracker and the Nutcracker Suite, as well as our Spring Ballet, Spring in Motion, premiering March 2026
Spring Ballet
Spring 2027
Thank you for supporting our 2026 Spring Ballet performance:
Spring in Motion, a mixed repertoire performance featuring MBT Academy dancers in a bold and high-energy Don Quixote suite, contemporary works, and exciting repertory pieces.
This evening-length program showcased the range and versatility of our dancers through classical and modern choreography in a fast-paced, engaging performance.
End-of-Year Recital
Spring 2027
MBT hosts the Spring Performance at the end of the academic year, showcasing and celebrating student progress through performances from all of our class levels. All students are given the opportunity to take the stage. Upper Division School students participate in choreography projects during the spring semester, and select original pieces are presented as part of the recital.